"For your next project, which will count for one third of your grade, please don't interrupt me Mr. Valera, you will be assigned a partner from the photography department. You will work separately but the goal will be to imitate their photography style using painting instead of photography. In exchange they will do the same, imitate your painting style with their cameras. On the desk you will find a summary of the assignment and who you've been assigned to work with. Please keep in mind that we want to get a feeling of their identity in your works, inspire yourself from their art and, I'm afraid it needs to be said, do not alienate them. The grade will be given by a committee of art and photography teachers."

The teacher's announcement at the end of the class was surprising enough that Niklaus raised his head and paid some attention to her words. Luckily, he had been cleaning up his brushes and not in his zone. It surprised him that the teachers would ask them to work with a photography student, the two departments usually disliked working with each other, as a matter of fact, his curriculum had never included any photography classes and no teachers had found fault in him for that. His dislike of the medium, any amateur with some luck could capture a decent picture and call it art, was shared by most of his art teachers, except this one. Perhaps their departments were burying the hatchet in order to get more funds, he assumed, as he made his way to the desk to know who his quote unquote partner would be.

Niklaus Mikaelson | Hayley Marshall

That name did not ring any bells but thankfully, his partner's number and email address had been included on the assignment sheet. One tap on his phone and he was texting this Hayley woman, he thought it best to approach her first and make her understand that his time wasn't to be wasted. His phone rung as he was typing his message, the alert he had set up a week ago showing over the text, "3pm studio free room for R's art friend". He side swiped it, and finished his text, considering whether or not he wanted to scare off Rebekah's friend in front of his project partner. He finished composing his text and sent it.

Klaus M, your partner for the art/photography project. Please meet me at my studio today around 3:30pm, and bring your portfolio.

After sending it he realized that he hadn't given the girl his studio's address, and started writing a new text when he received her answer; at least the girl was prompt to answer, he thought.

K, I'll be there at 3pm with my stuff. 3rd floor, right?

He was surprised that the girl knew his studio's address, he stuffed his bag in the trunk of his car and asked to be sure.

Yes. You know the address?

Duh.

After staring at his phone with wide eyes, he decided that this day was too strange to question and hoped that the girl wouldn't end up being a former one night stand with a grudge.